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Because it adds carbon dioxide (CO2) to the earth's atmosphere without removing any. And the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is highly influential on earth's climate as scientists have learned when studying earlier episodes of warming and cooling over the past 650,000 years.

Our planet has a very ingenious and natural system of controlling CO2: its called the Carbon Cycle. In the Carbon Cycle natural elements like vegetation, soil and oceans not only releases lots of CO2 into the atmosphere, they also re-capture it from the atmosphere thereby creating a balance. These natural elements are called Carbon Sinks.

The problem is that we humans, by burning fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal, only add CO2 to the atmosphere, we do not remove any. While the natural Carbon Cycle is able to capture some of man-made CO2 (about 40% at present), it cannot capture all and the remaining 60% stays in the earth's atmosphere. This natural capacity to remove man-made CO2 is also negatively affected by deforestation as the trees and plants removed by humans will no longer be able to capture both natural- as man-made CO2, thereby further increasing the total amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Another related and direct environmental problem is the acidification of our oceans. Oceans are an important carbon sink and as they store more man-made CO2, their water becomes more acid which in turn will have consequences for sea-life and the food-chain.

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Is it true or false that burning fossil fuels create pollution in the environment?

True. Burning fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides into the environment, contributing to air and water pollution, as well as climate change.


Why the burning of fossil fuels should be controlled?

Burning fossil fuels releases harmful greenhouse gases, leading to climate change and global warming. Controlling the burning of fossil fuels can help mitigate these effects and reduce air pollution, improving public health and the environment for future generations.


What is a negative enviromental impacts from burning fossil fuels?

Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide which contribute to global warming and climate change. It also leads to air pollution by emitting harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which can have adverse effects on human health and the environment.


Are fossil fuels environment friendly?

No, fossil fuels are not considered environmentally friendly because their extraction and use contribute to air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change. The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants and accelerates global warming, resulting in negative impacts on ecosystems, human health, and the planet as a whole.


Why is burning fossil fuels are a bad thing?

Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which contribute to global warming and climate change. It also produces air pollutants that can harm human health and the environment. Additionally, fossil fuels are a finite resource, so relying on them for energy is not sustainable in the long term.

Related Questions

Why is burning fossil fuels an issue?

Bcoz burning of fossil fuels releases poisonous fuels which are harmful to human health....;)


Is it true or false that burning fossil fuels create pollution in the environment?

True. Burning fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides into the environment, contributing to air and water pollution, as well as climate change.


Why the burning of fossil fuels should be controlled?

Burning fossil fuels releases harmful greenhouse gases, leading to climate change and global warming. Controlling the burning of fossil fuels can help mitigate these effects and reduce air pollution, improving public health and the environment for future generations.


What statement about fossils fuels is not true?

Fossil fuels are clean burning and will not be bad for the environment. We will never run out of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are good for our health. These are a few that are not true about fossil fuels.


May occur when the burning of fossil fuels releases gaseous nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides into the atmosphere?

Burning fossil fuels can lead to pollution in the environment. Although fossil fuels can be useful, the burning of them should be reduced to preserve clean air.


Compounds formed by the burning of fossil fuels combine with water in the atmosphere to form what?

Compounds formed by the burning of fossil fuels combine with water in the atmosphere to form acid rain. Acid rain is a harmful type of precipitation that can damage the environment, soil, and water bodies when it falls.


What is affecting Earth's environment?

human influence esp burning of fossil fuels


Why coal is harmfull for atmosphere?

The burning of fossil fuels by nature releases harmful greenhouse gases.


What are the environmental consequences related to obtaining the three major types of fossil fuels?

Burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases in atmosphere ie NO2 and SO2.


What chemical equation for the burning of fossil fuels?

Burning of fossil fuels is an oxidation reaction.


The majority of the worlds electricity is supplied by burning 2 words?

fossil fuels


What is a negative enviromental impacts from burning fossil fuels?

Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide which contribute to global warming and climate change. It also leads to air pollution by emitting harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which can have adverse effects on human health and the environment.